.
WELLINGTON — Authorities released a surveillance photo of a robber who herded employees into a back room after stealing an undetermined amount of money from the Sun Federal Credit Union branch on Patriot Drive at 3:36 p.m. Tuesday.
The culprit — who was bundled up on a relatively warm day — brandished a semiautomatic weapon and is believed to be male, said FBI Special Agent Vicki D. Anderson.
“People might recognize his eyes, demeanor, clothing or scarf,” Anderson said. “We’d appreciate any assistance the public might provide.”
Agents believe the robber waited for a customer to leave before entering the credit union, Anderson said. Once inside the credit union, the man held a handgun in a sideways stance.
The robber ordered the first teller to place money from her teller drawer into a white garbage bag with a red tie. The teller complied and the subject instructed the second teller to place money into the same bag.
When both had complied, the subject ordered both tellers verbally and by pointing the gun at them to proceed to the back room of the building and close the door. Once the back room door was closed, the robber left the credit union. No physical injuries were reported.
Click any image to view larger.
The subject is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet, 6 inches tall. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, faded blue jeans, black gloves, black shoes and a winter-type scarf around his face, possibly red or purple, with only his eyes showing at the time of the robbery. A bluish/green/gray tattoo on the forearm of the subject was seen by the witness exiting the credit union prior to the robbery.
It is believed the subject left by foot, traveled through a wooded area and entered a getaway vehicle. It is not known at this time if the vehicle was driven by the subject or an accomplice, Anderson said.
After the robbery, Wellington Police Chief Steve Rollins said a Sheriff’s Office dog tracked the robber to an area where tire tracks were found. The search by police and sheriff’s deputies included wooded lots to the north and west of Wellington High School at 629 N. Main St., triggering a lockdown until about 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Parents were called when the lockdown began and picked their children up afterward, school officials said.
To help
Any information should be provided to the FBI at (216) 522-1400. Tips can remain anonymous and an unspecified amount of reward money is available for the successful identification and prosecution of the individual or individuals responsible for the robbery.
Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.
Recent Comments